When a midair prop malfunctioned during Katy Perry’s concert in San Francisco on July 18, she kept the show going in true pop star fashion. Fans watched as the singer, suspended above the crowd on a mechanical butterfly, experienced a sudden drop mid-performance. Here are more details.
What happened to Katy Perry?
The prop malfunction happened while Perry performed her 2013 hit “Roar” at the Chase Center as part of her ongoing Lifetimes Tour. As she belted out the first chorus, the butterfly prop suddenly dipped a few feet, briefly startling her in front of thousands of fans. The moment, caught on multiple videos shared online, showed Perry gripping the edges of the platform and reacting with a surprised expression.
Instead of panicking, she quickly pulled herself together and continued singing without missing a word, “and you’re gonna hear me roar,” as if nothing had happened.. The butterfly continued its glide across the arena before gently lowering itself back to the stage. Once her feet touched the ground and the lights dimmed and the song ended, Perry addressed with a quick one-liner, “Not today, Satan,” earning a roar of applause.
This isn’t the first time high-flying stage effects have gone off-script. Just last month, Beyoncé encountered a similar technical glitch during her Cowboy Carter tour. These high-production performances come with risks, especially when they involve aerial rigs and complex cable systems.
Still, the malfunction didn’t throw Katy Perry off course. Known for her over-the-top stage performances, the 40-year-old singer has been showcasing bold visuals since her rise to fame in the 2000s. With seven studio albums, countless arena tours, and a string of pop anthems that defined a generation, Perry remains one of the most consistent and theatrical performers in the industry.
The Lifetimes Tour, which kicked off in April, includes multiple aerial moments like Fridays, and fans can expect even more big visuals as the tour continues.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.
